Hand Over Fist in a rich vein of form

Hand Over Fist took a step up in trip in the Paul Byron Shoes Handicap Hurdle in his stride to follow up on a Bellewstown victory last month.

This was a first attempt at an extended two miles seven furlongs in Roscommon after conquering two and a-half miles in Bellewstown for Henry de Bromhead.

Mike O'Connor steered him into a slight advantage just before three out, but there was an absolute wall of horses in behind with chances.

The leader was there to be shot at over the next, if he wasn't going to stay, but he put his head down and jumped the last in good style before keeping on well to see it out by a length and a-half at 11/2. Fill The Tank (12/1) picked up the runner-up prize, three-parts of a length ahead of More Info (8/1).

Stable representative Robbie Power said: “He's not the fastest in the world, but he's honest and he tries very hard and jumps very well.

“He's improved for the step up in trip, we were always hopeful that the step up to three miles would suit him.

“He's going the right way, he's in the right grade, and hopefully he can progress.

“Denis (Howard, owner) would love to find a race for him in Listowel, so we'll see what there is for him. The ground is key to him, he wants nice ground.

“We were afraid around Bellewstown that two-and-a-half would be a bit sharp for him, but he's a real, honest, tough horse and he showed that in Bellewstown and showed it again today.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson